Adlington completes title hat-trick

Double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington won her third title of the week after leading from start to finish to claim the 800metres freestyle at the British Gas Swimming Championships in Manchester.

The 22-year-old controlled her race from the off with Jazmin Carlin in second and Keri-Anne Payne third as all top-five finishers dipped under the World Championships qualifying time.

However, there was a shock in the 200m backstroke when European gold and silver medallists Lizzie Simmonds and Gemma Spofforth both failed to qualify for Shanghai in the event, Stephanie Proud taking the honours.

In dominating the 400m freestyle earlier this week, Adlington was 0.38secs quicker than her gold medal-winning time in Beijing. Her subsequent victory in the 200m saw her summon up all her strength and technique to touch out Carlin.

On Friday night she dominated from the start and was three body lengths ahead at the halfway stage. While Adlington was out on her own, the real race was unfolding behind her between Payne and Carlin with the Welsh woman pulling away from 500m.

The Nova Centurion swimmer touched in eight minutes 20.23 seconds, her fastest in a textile suit with Carlin in 8mins 25.67secs.

A crowd of young autograph hunters had gathered for Adlington, who wants to use the publicity she has commanded since Beijing to inspire youngsters into sport.

In the backstroke, Proud had a stellar junior career and was a two-time European junior champion in this event.

Proud, a Florida Gator alongside Spofforth, was second behind Simmonds at the halfway mark before taking control in the second half of the race to touch in 2:09.41, 2.26secs ahead.

Proud's joy contrasted with a tearful Simmonds who was consoled by friend Fran Halsall. She will have to try again in Sheffield in June after failing to match the required times in either of her two races this week.